Wigan's humiliated players have revealed they will fully refund all of their
fans who travelled to London to witness their 9-1 humbling at White Hart
Lane.

Each of the 400 supporters who bought a ticket for the game – the largest win in the Premier League since 1995 and Wigan’s heaviest top-flight defeat – will be entitled to a refund after the club’s players voted to dip into their own pockets as an apology.

“We feel that as a group of players we badly let down our supporters and this is a gesture we have to make to pay them back for their tremendous loyalty,” said Mario Melchiot, the club captain.

“As a group of professionals we were embarrassed by the way we performed, we feel it was below our standards and this is something we feel we owe to the fans. It is important that we do not take our supporters for granted.”

Dave Whelan, Wigan’s owner, has given his backing to manager Roberto Martinez and pointed the finger at his predecessor Steve Bruce for the team’s frailties.

Whelan said: “Nine-one is a serious, serious defeat and we have got to get our heads up. Roberto is Wigan’s manager and I have complete faith in him and I know the supporters have.

“Steve actually had a few dodgy signings just before he left Wigan and he has inherited those dodgy signings so I can’t blame Roberto one iota.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham have become the first London club to sign up to host matches at the 2018 World Cup. Tottenham’s new stadium is expected to be open in 2014 and last night the club signed the host-stadium contract required under Fifa regulations. Arsenal are hopeful of agreeing terms before Thursday’s deadline.